One of the loveliest things

about living in South Africa is our gorgeous light. It varies a lot from place to place – the light always seems to me to be crisp and clear in the Cape, and appropriately golden in Gauteng, for example – but it’s undeniably beautiful all over the country. It’s also something to bear in mind when decorating and furnishing a home, whether that’s on a practical level (making sure curtains protect precious upholstery fabrics from fading, say) or a more conceptual one. The owners of our featured house this week (see Page 4) have succeeded on both fronts. Simple finishes (especially the gleaming wooden floors) and a mix of carefully chosen vintage furnishings combine to delightful effect. Here’s to a light, bright and happy 2015 for all of us.